Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to make some comments on the background leading up to this motion and the process we've been following in the development of the constitutional process and principles in the western Arctic.
There has been a long history of support by the federal and territorial governments and this Assembly for the western constitutional development process. The Government of the Northwest Territories and Legislative Assembly supported the Constitutional Alliance, which included the Western Constitutional and Nunavut Constitutional Forums, from 1982 to 1989.
The Iqaluit agreement between the WCF and the NCF in 1989 was endorsed in the Legislative Assembly. The principles established in the Iqaluit agreement are consistent with the 12 draft principles approved by the CDSC in December 1993, and are consistent with the points of consensus which emerged from the CDSC's first constitutional conference last January.
Canada committed itself to division by initialling the TFN Act in 1990 and by signing the final agreement and passing the Nunavut Act. The federal and territorial governments and the Legislative Assembly support the principle for dividing the Northwest Territories, which resulted in the passage of the Nunavut Act in 1993. That committed Canada to division of the Northwest Territories into two new territories on April 1, 1999.
This means two new territories, each with its own system of government, including support for eastern and western constitutional processes leading to proposals for structures of government in each new territory. The Government of the Northwest Territories and this Assembly have reconfirmed their commitment to the western process by:
1. Helping to form and participate in a western committee of political leaders in March 1991;
2. Establishing and funding a Bourque Commission for constitutional development in 1991 and 1992;
3. The Legislative Assembly was a major proponent of expanding the committee of political leaders to become the now Constitutional Development Steering Committee in November 1992, and all the 14 western MLAs are Members of that committee;
4. The Legislative Assembly formally accepted the Bourque Commission report and referred it to the CDSC to serve as a starting point to develop a constitution and structure of government for the western territory in November 1992;
5. The Government of the Northwest Territories funded nine organizations involved in the CDSC process to research and propose means of implementing self-government in the context of a western territory; and, 6.The CDSC, including its majority membership of western MLAs approved a workplan and 12 principles to guide its efforts in December 1993. These principles are consistent with the Iqaluit agreement, the Bourque Commission report and the points of emerging consensus from the first constitutional conference.
There has also been considerable support from the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, the Honourable Ron Irwin, for the CDSC's activities in the past year and in the many statements that the honourable Minister of Indian Affairs has made to various groups across the Northwest Territories. I would like to quote some of the comments the Minister has made in his letters and statements which support the ongoing process.
On June 27, 1994, the Minister wrote a letter to the chairman of the CDSC, and I quote:
"I am fully supportive of the process that the committee envisions for the development of a structure of government and constitution for the new western territory." He also states: "Where the CDSC is vitally important is in ensuring the numerous parties in the north come together to shape a common vision of how their interests fit within the context of a single, effective and affordable territorial government structure within the western NWT."
Also at the first constitutional conference, the honourable Minister made some comments, and I would like to quote some of these: "I am here with Jean Chretien's lifelong commitment. My mandate is simple: implement his commitment to the north." Another quote:
"Here in the western territory, the Government of Canada supports, as does the Government of the Northwest Territories, the concept of one territorial government, a government which reflects a relationship among aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents. It is my belief and that of the Government of Canada that a single territorial government in the west is the way to ensure effective government. A single government does not mean that people cannot have control over regional or local interests. I support decentralization when it is consistent with good government and fiscal responsibility."
The Minister also referred to the timing of the constitutional process and opportunities. He talked about windows of opportunity, and I quote:
"How long can we have this window? These windows disappear and we would be fools not to go through the window while it exists. I see this all over the country, the time to move is now. We are committed to building a new partnership with aboriginal peoples that is based on trust, mutual respect and participation in the decision-making process."
The Minister also stated: "I am confident that a unique arrangement will emerge that will meet the distinct needs of northerners. This conference is evidence of the commitment to harmonizing the interests of all northerners." And finally: "The CDSC process provides a great opportunity. It is an opportunity, and it is something that we have to make work.
It is an opportunity for all western NWT residents to help shape their new governments."
Mr. Speaker, those were a few excerpts from remarks made by the Honourable Ron Irwin in addressing the western constitutional conference and from some of the letters he sent to various groups in the north.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the CDSC's first constitutional conference was very successful. It met its objectives and resulted in the identification of 22 major points of consensus, and it requires our continued support. Commitment to a western constitutional process linked to division goes back much further than the commitment to fund the CDSC in the past year. There has been a growing commitment by Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and this Legislature, which began as far back as 1982.
Mr. Speaker, two acceptable territorial governments must be in place by April 1, 1999: Nunavut and the yet-to-be-named new western territory. This is an urgent matter and one of major political significance to not only the west but also to the east. Therefore, I seek the support of this Assembly for the continuation of the western constitutional process in order to ensure the development of a new constitution and appropriate structures of government for the western Northwest Territories by the April 1, 1999 deadline, and by supporting this motion, we in the Northwest Territories give direction to the Government of Canada to continue their support for the development of the new western territory. Mahsi.
---Applause